MISSING HATS.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVI, Issue 249, 21 October 1935, Page 5

MISSING HATS.

SYNOD SIDELIGHTS.

"A BABYLONISH GARMENT.' ,

BISHOP'S HUMOROUS TURN. Although tho ' annual Synod of the Christehurch Diocese is conducted under Parliamentary standing orders and the assembly, presided over by tho Bishop in his grey and scarlet robe, is mo^t , dignified, it has its lighter side. There are times when a quiet jest—even wholehearted levity—convulses both clergy and laity. The present Synod had been remarkable for the high quality of debate, but it has had its brighter moments. The first incidonc was the slipping away into obhvion • and subsequent snoring of a prominent clergyman. This was followed by a slip of the tongue on the part of the Bishop, a slip thoroughly appreciated by the "house." Bishop West-Watson was warning members that they must not dally over, afternoon tea. Therewas a great deal of business to do. He suggested that they adjourn at five m ; n. utes to four and return at a quarter to four. Some clergymen apparently share the inability of doctors to write legibly and ; ■Synod was almost uproariously delighted yesterday with the sight of the Bishop attempting to read a motion written by Dean Julius. He started: well, but it was not long before he stumbled and came to a full stop. "What's that word ?" he inquired of, the Dean, who was at his right hand. Several times in the course of the reading the Bishop was- entirely baffled | and had to turn to the Dean for trans- | lation. "It must be written in Hebrew," i suggested a member from the back benches. The great hat mystery greatly concerned the Synod during the three days. Quite a number of members, including Dean Julius, either lost their hats or found inferior headgear left in place of • them. Bishop West-Watson announced the loss of two hats and his announce-1

ment was the signal for a ntimber of similar complaints. The Bishop tactfully ; suggested that some who usually went hatless had borrowed the missing hats inadvertently. "I want you all to look in your hats," the Bishop said. Third in a Few Weeks. Dean Julius was particularly unfortunate in the loss of his hat, because j he had not long before suffered a similar misfortune. He was riding his bicycle when the hat blew off and lodged in a I locked enclosure from which it w.is ' impossible to retrieve it. "This is my third hat in a few weeks," sorrowfully observed Dean, Julius last night. He was taking •no chances this time and .brought his hat into Synod with him. Another highlight in the proceedings was the discovery of a highly-coloured scarf or shawl left in the gallery. Holding it aloft, Bishop West-Watson asked who had left "tliie Babylonish garment ?" I which had apparently been left by some 1 person in the gallery.

"Pardon, my Lord, but do we recognise the gallery?" asked a member, leaping to hie feet. "Well, of course, you may be oblivious to the charm of those —." The rest of the bishop's remark was lost in a gale of laughter. It is at afternoon tea that the dignity of Synod is most relaxed. Old college friends who meet only on this occasion each year, cluster in corners and old tales are retold. It was probably an indication of the spirit of the meetings that each afternoon the bust of the pensive maiden at the door of the art gallery where tea was served was adorned by a clerical hat, worn at a rakish angle and giving the young lady a distinctly dissipated air.